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Lindsey Realmuto, MPH, is a project director for Power Up for Health and The New York Academy of Medicine

Power Up for Health is giving men in Harlem and the South Bronx a chance to cut their diabetes risk. Just in time for this year’s National Diabetes Month (November 2015), the Academy, in partnership with the New York City Parks Department and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine is leading the initiative, which targets men who live in neighborhoods with high rates of diabetes.

So far, the guys in our first Power Up for Health class (they’ve completed eight sessions) say they are learning to improve their health habits. “It’s going well because I am going in the opposite direction, I’m losing weight. I’ve been through the battle of the bulge before. So I have some idea of how it works,” says Michael Hodges, a participant from Harlem. “This is a bit of a different experience. It’s great doing it with a group of gentlemen.”

To give the men the tools they need to make lasting lifestyle changes, they spend 16 weeks together working with a trainer who teaches them how to read nutrition labels, keep track of what they eat, and address personal barriers to physical activity and losing weight. The goal is for each participant to drop 7 percent of their body weight. Power Up is an adaptation of the National Diabetes Prevention Program being implemented across the country.

The program is an effort to address the dramatic increase in diabetes in the United States; rates have more than  doubled, from 4 percent in 1995 to 9 percent in 2011. Diabetes—which can damage the heart, eyes, kidneys, and feet—is taking a greater toll on some communities than others. African Americans and Hispanics have a higher rate than white Americans and diabetes prevalence has increased faster in males than females.

Although in its early stages, Power Up for Health seems to be inspiring change. "I’m definitely getting the tools from the program to help me change my lifestyle and I’m hoping it’s going to happen. I feel it. I’ve cut things…I no longer drink soda; I’m trying to cut coffee out, reading labels more … I’m very cautious when going to McDonalds now because of all the fat in the French fries and burgers and all that. So I haven’t eaten that much fast food lately, I’ve actually been cooking more, which is a result of the program as well,” says Joshua Torres, who is not only a Power Up participant in his Bronx community, he’s the Academy’s executive assistant for Development.

It’s a Guy Thing

In addition to taking a holistic approach to lifestyle change, Power Up for Health addresses issues that are more likely to impact men when it comes to adjusting nutrition and fitness habits.

“Having [the program] directed just towards men is actually a big help,” Hodges says. “You kind of see yourself a lot more, and people having the same struggles as you are. You have a lot in common so they’re mentioning things and saying things that really click. I think that works because so many of the guys are having the same issues.”

Torres says a little healthy competition helps: “Guys have a way of challenging each other, so we’re trying to individually or personally talk with each other and say, ‘I challenge you this week, let’s see who can lose more weight,’ or you know, ‘we should commit to working out in the morning.’”

William Tyson, our program coach also supports the male-centered approach. “I think it helps that men don’t feel that they have to be so careful with what they say. They can speak more freely and share more than if they were in mixed company.”

This spring, a new round of Power Up for Health classes are planned. The program is currently being offered at St. Mary’s Recreation Center in the South Bronx and Jackie Robinson Recreation Center in Harlem.